LaLiga - Matchday 13 - 26/11/2016 20:45h

Valencia CF fall to defeat against Sevilla FC

November, 26 2016 -

A spirited Valencia CF fell to a harsh 2-1 defeat against Sevilla FC on their visit to the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, in which they came back from behind with an equaliser from Munir El-Haddadi but were eventually unable to take points away from Matchday 13. A goal in the 75th minute from Sevilla’s Nico Pareja proved to be decisive in a tight game.

Coach Cesare Prandelli changed to a 5-3-2 formation for the trip to southern Spain, playing Ezequiel Garay, Eliaquim Mangala and Aymen Abdennour as his three centre backs and flanking them with Guilherme Siqueira and Joao Cancelo.

There were few chances in the opening stages of the game, and it was not until past the 20 minute mark that there was any opportunity of note for either side. ‘Mudo’ Vázquez hit a shot wide for Sevilla, and Dani Parejo had his free kick pushed away by the home side’s goalkeeper, Sergio Rico.

Valencia CF’s best chance of the first half came when a poorly cleared ball fell at Parejo’s feet, but his miscontrol allowed Pareja time to get across and cover. The first period came to an end with the game still goalless, but with VCF putting in a positive, organised performance.

The same stifling play was on display at the start of the second half, as Valencia CF did not allow room for Sevilla’s creative players to work. Unfortunately, VCF found their good work undone by bad luck, as a Vitolo cross hit defender Garay and ricocheted past his own goalkeeper, Diego Alves. Sevilla took the lead through an own goal.

Valencia CF reacted quickly, and Parejo drew another save from Rico with his second free kick on target. Striker Rodrigo Moreno also had a chance to equalise, but his rightfooted shot was off target, and Nani only just missed with his effort following an exquisite cutback onto his left foot.

With the need to score evident and momentum in his side’s favour, Prandelli brought on Munir in place of Abdennour, and the young striker’s impact was almost immediate: He had barely been on the field for 3 minutes when, latching onto a well-measured pass from Cancelo, he slid the ball into the bottom left corner with the outside of his boot. It was his second goal of the season, and took the score to 1-1 with 25 minutes remaining.

However, against the run of play and during a period in which VCF were overrunning the opposition midfield, Sevilla would find the net for a second time. A corner came out to the edge of the box, and Pareja hit the ball through a crowd of bodies to put the home side back in front.

José Luis Gayá and Santi Mina were brought on for Siqueira and Mario Suárez as VCF looked to come back from behind again. Despite a valiant late rally, and a chance for Gayá in injury time that was saved by Rico, Valencia CF left the Sánchez Pizjuán empty handed.

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Photographs by Lázaro de la Peña, re-use is not permitted.